General Background

In 1999 Russia decided to upgrade their aging Su-25 aircraft with actual work beginning in 2001. The first of the upgraded aircraft designated Su-25SM (Stroyevoy Modernizirovannyi) Grach (Rook) flew on March 3, 2002 with the first six modernized aircraft entering service with the Russian Air Force in December 2006. The idea behind the modernization was to expand the life of the Su-25, make it All-Weather capable, more lethal and reduce operating and maintenance cost. Increased ordnance loads and a wider selection were also added.

The Aircraft

The 299th Tactical Aviation Regiment (299 BrTA) is based at Mykolaiv/Kulbakino AB. In March 2010 the unit received its first modernized Su-25s, two single-seat Su-25M1s and one Su-25UBM1. The upgrade consists of new GPS, radios, modern calculator sight and pixelated paint scheme. All Su-25s returning to service after March 2013 will have the new pixelated scheme so aircraft numbers blue 07, 08, 38 and 40 returned that year. On August 29, 2014 Su-25M1 Blue 08 c/n 25508110284 was shot down near Starobeshevo by a Russian missile, the pilot ejected safely.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
• Role: Close Air Support (CAS)
• Number Built: 1024
• User Countries: Approximately 28
• Crew: 1 Pilot
• Dimensions
• Length: 15.53 m (51 ft) including nose probe
• Wingspan: 14.3 m (47 ft 2 in)
• Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
• Weight:
• Empty: 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs)
• Normal Takeoff: 14,400 kg (31,835 lbs)
• Maximum Takeoff: 19,300 kg (42,549 lbs)
• Performance
• Power Plant: 2 X Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 Turbojets Producing 44.18 kN (9,921 lbf) Per Engine
• Maximum speed: Mach .079 (975 km/h) (606 mph) @ Sea Level
• Rate Of Climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)
• Service Ceiling
• Clean: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
• With Ordnance: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
• Range: Cruise Clean @ Altitude – 1,000 km (621 nmi)
• Combat Range 750 km (405 nmi) @ Sea Level With 4,400 kg (9,700 lbs) Of Ordnance and 2 External Fuel Tank
• Maximum G-Load: 6.5 g+
• Armament:
• Gun: 1 X 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 Auto-Cannon With 250 Rounds SPPU-22 Gun Pods To House 2 X 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 Auto-Cannons With 260 Rounds
• Hardpoints
• 11 For Maximum Load of 4,400 kg (9,700 lbs) Of Various Combinations
• Rockets
• UB-32A Rocket Pods For S-5 Rockets
• B-8M1 Rocket Pods For S-8 Rockets
• S-13
• S-24
• S-25
• Missiles
• Air-To-Air
• K-13A
• R-60
• R-73E
• Air-To-Surface
• Kh-23
• Kh-25ML
• Kh-29L
• Anti-Radiation
• Kh-28
• Bombs
• FAB-250 GPB FAB-500 GPB
• KAB-500K TV-Guided
• ZB-500 Incendiary
• Other
• ASO-2V Chaff and Flare Dispensers
• Some Su-25 Deployed in Syria Carried 4 Rows of ASO-2V Dispensers Along Upper Tail Cone
• Surface Behind Vertical Stabilizer
• Radar: Phazoton Kopyo